SPRING 2014 8 WEEKS CHALLENGE

The Chief's Original Bootcamp, Malaysia September Military Corporation (pronounced as "Military Kor") intake is open for registration. 

If you are interested to participate in the forthcoming 8 Weeks Challenge which began with September intake, please register and pay for both September and October at http://www.cobc.biz/#!training-schedule/c72u and register your interest for the 8 Weeks Challenge at www.8WeeksToWow.com.au. 

A note to recruits that had purchased the Groupon Voucher: 

a) The Groupon voucher can be used as payment for September but you will need to enroll and pay for October to participate in the 8 Weeks Challenge. For best promotion, click http://www.cobc.biz/#!cobc-fees-/c1xu1. Groupon recruit can subscribe to all promotion listed except for Virgin promotion.

b) The Groupon voucher is only valid for first time registration (recruit that had never participate in the monthly Chief's Original Bootcamp training) but we are pleased to extend the Groupon promotion to recruit that had stopped working out with the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) for more than a year.

The registration for the 8 Weeks Challenge will be open on 23 August 2014 and it is best for you to register your interest now so you will receive all the updates. 

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH SUI LYNN TEOH

The 'Up close and personal' series in this blog were written to share the success of individuals who have achieved tremendous mileage and transformation in their journey towards better lifestyle, health and fitness. These individuals represents the true Spirits of Bootcamp and is a source of inspiration and motivation to others for a change in lifestyle. The root of happiness is in a healthy mind, body and soul. Without health, nothing else matter.

 

SUI LYNN TEOH first heard of the Chief's Original Bootcamp when she read her former school mate, Opalyn Mak's posting on bootcamp in 2012. Being curious, Sui Lynn browsed and read to learn further from the Stay Tuned blog and the bootcamp website www.cobc.biz.  She then quickly signed up in time for the October 2012 Bring A Friend Day (BAF) (now known as the Try-Out Day) to try out the Bootcamp which coincidentally were conducted by Chief Brabon and Gunny Hames whom was in Malaysia; unbeknown how fortunate she was to have attended that session with Chief and Gunny. Sui Lynn who was a stranger to the bootcamp fraternity back then said, looking back at the photo during the BAF, I am so happy to know so many faces in those photos now. Since then, Sui Lynn has been training with the Chief's Original Bootcamp until today, for almost 2 years. 

Sui Lynn is a pharmacist by training and education. She was born and bred in Penang and left for Kuala Lumpur to be in college after completing her secondary school. She began her career as a pharmacist at the hospital and in retail pharmacy but gave up her career as a pharmacist being disillusioned by almost 40 years of unresolved dispensing right battle between doctors and pharmacists. Sui Lynn then spend 4.5 years as medical writer with an international publisher before being attached to her present employment in clinical research since 2008.

Sui Lynn married her college sweetheart was slimmest at 45kg just before her wedding over a decade ago. Her weight fluctuates over the years and her size, dominantly the hips expanded by 2 inches with each baby. She stopped after having two child and shuddered at the thought of her hip size if she continued having more children. It took her 3 years to lose the flab from her first pregnancy and gained it all back (and more) after being pregnant again. After giving birth, the size keep growing each year. Before being a mother, Sui Lynn was wearing G2000 work pants size 5 and somehow, she grew to fit size 11. "When I could not buckle my L-Size pants, I knew I was in deep trouble", laughed the cheerful Sui Lynn.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR CHIEF'S BOOTCAMPERS

SPECIAL NOTICE for Chief's Bootcampers:

Ramadhan buffet will end together with the holy month of Ramadhan in just two days but the BOOTCAMP BUFFET - unlimited  training for MC12! (Train as much as you want - at any COBC platoons conditional upon the total maximum number of recruits per platoon; which vary from one platoon to another) that was launched 2 years ago, will continue for another 3 months and will end after the October intake. Meaning, from November intake onwards, only the WIP subscribers are allowed an unlimited training sessions at all platoon under the bootcamp buffet. All other enrollment are only restricted to the 12 sessions at their registered platoon. For non-WIP recruits participating in special activities such as marathons, ultra-marathons, trail marathons, ironman triathlon, COBC will sponsor a Bootcamp-Buffet privilege as a support to our recruits.

SPRING 2014 Eight Weeks Challenge (8WC) will begin on 1st September 2014 and ends together with October intake on 25 October 2014 (Please diarise). Which also means you can still do Bootcamp-Buffet during the 8WC for optimum result.

BOOTCAMP FANCY DRESS PARTY is confirmed on 23 August 2014 and an official announcement will be made soon.
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BOOTCAMP IFTAR

Ramadhan is coming to an end in a few days and to end this period of fasting for the muslims, the bootcampers from all platoons gathered at my house for a long overdue gathering. This fostering of comradeship moment brought us all back into memory lane when we were all still fluffy and heavy to where we are all at now!! I had a great moment, listening to Penny, Marie and Sui Lynn journey with COBC and enjoyed getting updates from recruits from all over. There were more than 40 pax that brought variety of food for the pot luck iftar.

The invitations for the pot luck were sent by Afiza Abdul Halin. Guests that rsvp'ed were only less than 30 but not all recruits are tuned to Facebook invites. All instructors except for Affiq and James whom had prior engagements, came including the tall and handsome korean look-alike (as they say) Sarge Chun. Unfortunately, Staff Sarge Nawal was in Sydney for bootcamp training with Chief and could not be there for the iftar. Those that never tried, had their first taste of Corporal Amir's famous lasagna. I finished almost half of it and wanted more before everything was clean sweep. With almost 50 recruits from all over, I am always amazed at the spirit of camaraderie among fellow bootcampers... a true reflection of Malaysians.

HEART SCREENING AT INSTITUT JANTUNG NEGARA

"Every adult should have a health screening examination done especially if they are above 30-35 years old male and 35-40 years for female" ~ Institut Jantung Negara.

Sometimes I wonder if men are generally born with inferior quality than women.. Women seemed to have better quality that it attract potential risk 5 years later than their male companion. Statistically, women too lives way longer than men.

Heeding my friend's advice whom conveniently fix an appointment for me today, 27 June 2014 at IJN, I arrived at 7:45am. Traffic was smooth, parking was easy and I was greeted by a friendly and smiley receptionist at the ESP Executive Screening Centre located at Block A, National Heart Institute. My stomach grumbles having been without any breakfast awaiting for the blood sample to be taken. Registration took barely 10 minutes, I picked the 'Elite Health Screening', paid and shortly later, I was called in for a blood sample. After the blood sample, I was directed into a room for an ECG and Vascular Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) which took approximately 15 minutes. I was buried under a string of cables that was short of being glued to my chest. When Anny took a picture of me, I thought I almost look like sick Robocop.

Then I was led into a private room where we had breakfast. The health screening package which cost me almost RM1,400 came with a RM4.00 tuna sandwhich. For the fee paid, I think there should be more on-the-house food varieties, maybe a buffet breakfast. I think the breakfast box cost more than the sandwich. 

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH SHUHID ZR

One of the most eligible bachelorette at the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) is Siti Shuhidah Zainal Rashid. Shuhid as she is fondly known as, joined the COBC in November 2012 with the intention to learn a thing or two in the military-inspired training program for her to train on her own being a self-motivated and a very active women since school. She gave it a try through the Groupon promotion when she first heard about it from Aida Munirah; a cancer survivor and a loyal dedicated recruit at COBC. From a mere thought of wanting to join for only a month, Shuhid is still constant and is consistently training at COBC for 19 months now and in her own word, "I am not afraid to say I will do Bootcamp for life!".

Prior to joining COBC, Shuhid whom was already a runner, clocked 21km run in 3hrs 17 mins. After she joined COBC,  Shuhid's best timing improved significantly to 2 hrs 37 mins and Shuhid is still improving. Her instructors were all praises at the commitment and passion portrayed by Shuhid.

Born in 1985 Shuhid possesses a colourful and interesting background which I am proud to share and had only learn. At COBC, we rarely know each other's background. Each and every individual stands out in their own way at the Bootcamp and we know each other through their true personality, energy, spirit and passion. I am amazed to learn and write about this amazing lady.

For a start when Shuhid was an undergraduate, she never failed to get into the Dean's list at every semester and was entitled and awarded the Vice-Chancellor award. She graduated with a second class upper from the University Technology Mara in Accountancy and then continued her study in ACCA (One last final paper). In September this year, she will be leaving to the University of Sheffield in United Kingdom to pursue her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) post graduate degree.
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LES MILLS BODYJAM 69: BORN TO RAGE

Les Mills Bodyjam 69 hit most clubs over the weekend on 14 June 2014, earlier than the usual quarterly releases. The 69th release since its first debut, 8 years ago in Quarter 2, 1997 was launched at the Paradigm Mall by Fitness First and at Kenanga International Building by Truefitness. We missed the launching on Saturday being stucked with work errands but made all effort to try out the new release on Sunday which we did. So this will be my first review on a dance class.

I have to say, my stint period with BodyJam classes had drew me passionately involved with the program. I am a sucker for good programs and Gandalf Archer, the program director is what Chief Brabon is to Bootcamp. Awesome beyond description. While Chief's bootcamp ignite and awakes every muscle in your body, Les Mills Body Jam triggered every senses your body can accustom. It is not just about moving the body to the beat but it initiated our brain senses to music. It changes your mood almost instantly no matter how lousy your day was.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH HARUN OSMAN

The best way to stay focus, motivated and be realistic and pragmatic with fitness, health and fat lost is to read and relate to the success stories of others whom was once in the same boat as us. Some are lucky to befriend such people and get inspired by them but most of the time, we sabotaged ourselves by giving up thinking these strong people were born being fit and healthy. While some were born an athlete but most are not! Me included, was never born fit nor healthy. From spending most of my teens in hospital, I became a health freak and so are thousand of others at the Chief's Original Bootcamp. We have seen alot of couch potatoes, unhealthy & fluffy white collar executives from lawyers to auditors, turned into an avid runners and sportsmen.

 

I am enthusiastic to write about these people as a source of motivation because they inspires me too and kept me focus with reaching my goal in fitness. I crave to learn and get to know more and more people and have blogged so many recruits whom I personally saw their transformation. Then time and endless business schedules took the best of me and I took a back seat from blogging these great personalities but instead followed-up on their achievements on Facebook for some daily injections of good spirit. When Afiza Abdul Halin prompted and requested for an "Up Close and Personal" blog at the Chief's Original Bootcamp Facebook Group page at HERE, it was akin of a wake up spanking call and countless of personalities quickly came to mind. The first is this one gentlemen that I befriended when he first enrolled as a recruit at the bootcamp 16 months ago in February 2013 by the name of Harun Osman. He was first noticed when he dance crazily during the recording of COBC Harlem Shake. See below for an unedited version of the COBC Harlem Shake at the COBC Retro party last year.

GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA "IMAGINE MORE - GIRLS IN THE LEAD"

The Girl Guides Association Malaysia took the lead to drive teenagers, in particular its members towards a healthier lifestyle. The drive saw the first gathering of hundred girls aged from 10 to 17 years old at its Girl Guides' Wilayah head office in Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Kuala Lumpur. The program was the initiative of the National Commissioner for Junior Girl Guides at the National Headquarters of Girl Guides Association Malaysia, Chempaka Emalin Pahamin in a creative workshop with the theme, "Imagine More - Girls in the Lead". 

"We want to emphasize the importance of keeping our girls fit and healthy", said Chempaka Emalin Pahamin who has been planning the program for the past few months. "There will be four Girl Guides proficiency badges (Ranger and Brownie) to be awarded to Girl Guides who attended and passed the program", she added. The badges are as follows:

Proficiency Badge No. 45 Kecergasan (Pandu Puteri Remaja/Renjer PPPM)

OUR PRO-BONO FOR ALL NATIONAL ATHLETES IN ANY CATEGORY

If health can be measured as a utility such as money, what should we do when we are a millionaire? I mean, we work hard because we want to be wealthy and when we are, we want to be debt-free, we want to buy a new bungalow as a home, a brand new Aston Martin as a mean of transportation and/or maybe we want to go for a long holiday etc... but have we ever thought, what we want to do when with a good bill of health?!! Maybe you do but most people do not until they lost or almost lost their health.

Luxury is something we do not appreciate until we lose it. If we were never accustomed to luxury, we can live without any maid, driver, a house with swimming pool, without a big cars etc..  but once we have lived with all that and suddenly, for some reason we lost our job, our income and we have to do everything ourselves, we may just jump off the building or struggle to get by etc. Similarly, we will not feel the lost of a good health until we are diagnosed with some terminal cancer.

On that pre-text, if health can be measured in term of money, everyone now is already a millionaire because almost everyone are just so healthy and perfect (measured without any cancer which in a monetary term is similar to a bankrupt). Some people can still live being a bankrupt and some live a slow death.

So being a millionaire in health term.. what do you want to do? Honestly, this is one question only you can answer. Me..? I have done everything from being bed-ridden sicken with cancer to running marathons, cycling, dualthons, triathlon, mountain hiking, mountain climbing, open water swim, getting married (twice), being a father, work at bank, became a property developer, manufacturer for automotive parts, vendor in automotive and airlines, involved in oil concessions, advisors to listed co, automotive dealerships, work with government, elected into various NGOs etc etc etc... Time is too precious to be wasted with a good bill of health.
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WEEKEND BODYJAMMING

I recently had an overdue cup of coffee with a former high school friend whom was also my university mate at the Buckingham University, UK and updated each other with our long lost years. We used to share school bus together when we first started high school in BBBSS. He was a year older and was actually quite active in sports during youth and I was what people call 'kaki bangku' being very inactive having had to go in and out of hospital for CML. Now, he said he can barely pass level 3 stress test and I am a bootcamper.

To get him excited with abit of exercise since he felt Bootcamp is abit too strenuous, I invited him and his wife to join us at BODYJAM class this weekend. BODYJAM is actually Anny's passion and I was sucked in to have an activity with her which I do not mind at all. Being abit rusty having retired from clubbing  nightlife for almost a decade, I managed to follow the choreographed moves after a few months. BODYJAM now became my weekend activity. Of course, in addition to the Chief's Original Bootcamp!! Bootcamp gives me the energy to dance. Bodyjam allow me to feel the emotional express and self expression.

So what is BODYJAM? BODYJAM is a +Les Mills 55 minutes cardio workout program. It is an addictive fusion of the latest dance styles and hottest new sounds that emphasize as much on having fun as on breaking a sweat. New BODYJAM class is produced every three months with new music and choreography. Each new class is with a different dance experience base on the latest trend and style. The latest is BODYJAM 68. When a new release is launched it will be repeated for 1 month and this is useful for beginners like me to start and follow the choreographed moves. After the first month of repeating the same release, the instructors are allowed to mix the releases to his or the member's liking. 

There are 12 tracks in a class and the remix usually comprised of 3 isolation songs, the next block of 3 songs are mixtures of Salsa, Zumba, Trance, hip hop, house music etc. Then there is a short water break and the class continues with the second block of a faster hip hop, house or trance music with a higher intensity workout. 

NO MORE CODENAMES BUT 'TIME-OF-THE-DAY'

The Chief's Original Bootcamp, Malaysia intake for May to August is now open for registration with some improvements, namely the time-of-the-day instead of a codename for training time & day. This is to make it easier for recruits to relate and understand as well as avoid confusions.

Current codename for training time and days:

5:45am-6:45am : Alpha (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) MC12
5:45am-6:45am : Sierra (Monday, Wednesday) MC8
5:30am-6:30am : Charlie (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) MC12
5:45am-6:45am : Tango (Monday, Wednesday) MC8
7:00am-8:00am : Bravo (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) MC12
7:00am-8:00am : Oscar (Monday, Wednesday) MC8
7:00am-8:00am : Echo (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) MC12
7:00am-8:00am : Foxtrot (Monday, Wednesday)

6:45pm-7:45pm : Zulu (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) MC12
6:45pm-7:45pm : Victor (Monday, Wednesday) MC8
8:30pm-9:30pm : Dusks (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) MC12
8:30pm-9:30pm : Quebec (Monday, Wednesday) MC8

TIPS TO COMBAT (DENGUE) WITH PAPAYA LEAVES JUICE

Petua Daun Pokok Betik (Tips using Papaya leaves).

They say Papaya leaves juice is the best remedy for Dengue and me being me, after being almost certain that Aaraf has dengue with his fever above 40 degrees, sore with infected throat, diarrhea and nauseate; I immediately started Aaraf on the papaya leaves juice even though its only his second day since the high fever.

We brought Aaraf to the Damansara Specialist Hospital immediately on the first day he had fever but was told Dengue can only be detected on day 4 to day 5 after the first symptom- high fever.

I was skeptic of this petua but I could not bear looking at my son crying in high fever above 40 degrees, face & eyes so red, screaming in the middle of the night with nightmares and sleep walking etc..

How do we prepare the Papaya Leaves extract? First you will need to get the papaya leaves (of course!!).  Luckily there was a wild papaya tree at my house. Second, you will need to have Anny.. Kidding. Anny is mine. You will need to get your own Anny to assist. Take 2 of the leaves (an average age leaves that is neither too young or too old) and remove all the leave bones (urat daun) and keep only the leaves (see picture below). The next step is as per the step by step picture below.

BIG BREAKFAST

Eat breakfast like a King they say but who knows what King actually eat for breakfast. What I do know, my breakfast can be a bit elaborated... okay, maybe alot. Today I changed the ingredient of my regular breakfast.. from a skimmed Cow milk to Goats Milk... Yucksss.. I know that is everyone's first thought and that was mine too for the whole of my life until Jaya Grocer, Damansara Perdana completely ran out of Cow skim milk (yesterday).

Let us rewind it abit.. I've been on this breakfast schedule (except the Goats Milk) for years in my quest for a healthier life. My breakfast starts at  5am.

5:00am - 25 Ounce (740ml) of water mixed with 1MR pre-workout drink (For energy) and two raw (yes raw!! straight from the shell) ayam kampung eggs mixed with Honey (for energy and manthingy- they say its good for men)... Sometimes, with a wholemeal bread or Banana and sometimes without anything else before a workout at the Bootcamp at 545am.

7:00am, after Bootcamp -  25 ounce of Skim Milk (today- GOAT Milk), mixed with Protein drink & 2 table spoon of Lecithin (For muscle).

VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS USA CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT

I read with interest various comments made on Facebook and the cyber pertaining to the class action suit made against Vibram Five Fingers in USA (read HERE) and there seemed to be alot of misconception and misunderstanding.

The class action suit took place in USA alleging that Vibram USA engaged in false and deceptive advertising. An advertising that claimed the footwear could reduce foot injuries and strengthen foot muscles, without basing those advertisement on any scientific merit. It did not state that those health claim is not true but unsubstantiated. “Vibram USA expressly denied and continues to deny any wrongdoing alleged in the Actions, and neither admits nor concedes any actual or potential fault, wrongdoing or liability,” read the court brief. 

I am a hardcore Vibram Five Finger user and have ran 2 full marathons in a Vibram Five Fingers shoes (and countless of shorter distances) and would not use any other shoes for running but a Vibram Five Fingers. If you are my blog follower then you would have read how I suffered from bad knees as a result from perhaps, an excessive  running and was advice to go for corrective surgery on both knees. 

I did not go for the advised surgery but instead, invested in a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. After a few months of training in the Vibram Five Fingers (esp in a better form of running), I ran two full marathons and countless shorter distance run without any knee pain or knee injury. Infact, my PB running time had  improved and my knees/legs are much stronger.
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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY IBU

Happy Mother's Day.

I can only imagine what it feels like to be a mother. To carry a child in me for 9 months, breast-feed, cook, feed, raise,  giving birth, shower them, cleanup their pee & poo, guide, bear all their cries tantrums, educate, nursing during sickness and an endless list of errands. I will never know what my mother had to go through raising us 6 children.. and a son whom was terminally-sick and rebellious. No one can ever describe a mother's undivided love and care.

I had a short stint of single parenthood after my divorce and MasyaAllah, I now understand the sacrifices, commitment and dedication of a mother and I am sure my understanding of what mothers do, is really a tiny small fraction of the actual reality. I can speak with experience from that short stint, that it would really take a person to be called a mother. It is seriously not an easy responsibility and is very challenging. 

That short stint made me appreciate my mother even more. I have one handsome and macho son (at the moment) and my mother have 6 stubborn, hard-headed, temperamental and emotional (but handsome and pretty) children. All with a mix of different characters and all are abit on the extreme (whether good or bad) but she loves her children equally and unconditionally. Her world, was only the children (and of course Dad). 

So Ibu, Happy Mother's Day:

Ibu, 

Throughout my journey in life...

I know I have disappointed you, 

I know I have broken your heart,

I know I have failed you so many times, 

I know you have shred so much tears for me

and I know, at times I was not there for you..

... I am sorry & regretted for all the past mistakes.

Ibu, 

Thank you for always giving me face;

Thank you for never turning your face away;

Thank you for never giving up on me;

Thank you for always & still being there for me;

Thank you for always giving me hope and all the aspiration in life;

Ibu,

I cherish all the upbringing moments and remembers all the celebrations we had on my every birthdays and treasures every seconds when you were by my bed while I was bedridden for months in hospital in London. 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ANNY

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY Anny, 

On your first Mother's Day celebration, Anny this message is for you...

For someone who had never given birth nor have or raise any child... You are a fantastic Mother. 

I can only imagine how hard it is for you to adjust yourself into being an instant mother and a wife at the same time. I see and feel all the effort made.

You are from a completely different upbringing, a different lifestyle and from a different culture but you adapt well into our way of life, our home and our values, away from your own family.

Both Aaraf and I appreciate your patience and time to learn and understand us especially with our differences in culture, preference for food and bedtime. 

You have been an inspiration and a motivation in our daily life. You always cheer us up and bring smiles into our daily routine.

I love how you would even skipped 1000 skips a day to motivate Aaraf in his quest to lose weight and even went jogging just for Aaraf; although you hate running. We love how you would share many stories, games and magic trick just to entertained and keep Aaraf occupied. Thank you for all the food, care and love you have given us. Thank you for accepting Aaraf as your own son.

TIPS TO UNBLOCK ARTERIES WITH GINGER, GARLIC, LEMON & APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Anny read this tips to unblock arteries and started me on this today. Day 1. I should do a blood test first to know its effectiveness but nonetheless, my Day 1 (6th MAY 2014).

It is always good to service our arteries when living with high cholesterol for already more than 10 years. I am on 10mg Crestor (Rosuvastatine) and 145mg Lipanthyl (Fenofibrate) daily for Cholestrol.

We will never know how those oily food and excessive fat had build up inside the walls of our arteries and vein. This fat build up in our arteries and vein will lead to artery blockage that can cause a heart attack and no matter how much exercise we performed each day, this fat build-up in the artery can be fatal.

We should look good and healthy in the inside as much as we are good looking physically.

So what do we need to look good in the inside? 

1.  Lemon - 1 cup

2. Garlic - 1 cup

3. Ginger - 1 cup

4. Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 cup.

5. Honey - 2 table spoon

Garlic improves blood circulation, clearing arteries and flushing out toxic waste. There are alot more benefits of Garlic which you can just google.

2ND VISIT AT THE KL FERTILITY CENTRE

We left Dato Dr Prashant Nadkarni practice on 2 May 2014 with a high hope of having a baby without having to go through the IVF or ICSI. According to Dr Prashant, male fertility can either improved or worsens after a high doses of chemotherapy & radiotherapy (even after 25 years) and the only way to determine it, is via a semen test which was suppose to be done during the first visit but I could not DIY in the toilet. (Read: First-Visit HERE)

So we scheduled impatiently for the semen test to be done today, 5 May 2014 at the convenient and the comfort of our home. I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed. Like any other fathers, I want a big family and the thought of a big family at the dinner table everynight and at gatherings during festive seasons was simply indescribable.

After err... ejaculating into the sterilized bottle, we quickly rushed to the KL Fertility Centre and waited for the result scheduled at the fix appointment 1:15pm. We left for Nandos half chicken breast and Steamboat at the Ikano during the 2 hours waiting and arrived back at the KL Fertility Center at 12:50pm.

After more than an hour of waiting, half asleep we were called in by the nurse to meet Dr Prashant. For a moment in-waiting, I was cursing the government hospital thinking, private hospitals had picked-up the non-punctuality and long waiting for patience during the compulsory 2 years requirement for all doctors to work at the government upon graduation. We would think, private practice would be more professional and punctual in patients booking time and management. Maybe they should have "customer management" as a module during medical undergraduate study. This non-punctual waiting time has to improved. In boredom, we capitalize the waiting-time with a selfie....

2ND SUPER DANCE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL COMPETITION, ST PETERSBURGH, RUSSIA

The Girl Guides Association Malaysia (GGAM) and SRK Damansara Heights Primary School represented Malaysia and competed in the 2nd International Superdance Festival, from Folklore to modern at St Petersburg, Russia from 29 April to 1 May 2014. A total of 42 teams from 5 countries competed in various categories with a total of 74 dances.

These dance teams were formed as a result of GGAM `Imagine More' Creative Workshop (Performing Arts - Dance) which was carried out in December 2013 under the leadership of National Girl Guides Commissioner Chempaka Emalin Pahamin.  

Chempaka Emalin Pahamin together with artistic directors Sabrina Saw and Zaridah Abdul Malik led the three GGAM teams namely Jemari, Mystique and Silversteppers and returned home from Russia to a hero's welcome after winning three 1st placing, one 2nd and also the Best Dress Award:

Modern Choreography (Jazz, modern, neoclassical dance, free plastique) category - (9 - 12 years):
1st Prize: Mystique (Girl Guides Assocation Malaysia)

1. Kasih Iris Leona Azhar
2. Raina Edlyn Jasmine Mohammad Rhiza
3. Raiqa Hanim Jasmine Mohammad Rhiza
4. Ellya Keesha Zatif Ahmed Zaharani
5. Khadra Mohd Azrul
6. Nelysa Khadija Mohamed Nazrin
7. Marsya Jehana Mohd Jehan
8. Harissa Adlin Halim
9. Kadija Kamarulzaman